Zombie trend: Why undead is the new black

Whatever you prefer to call the undead—zombies, walkers, rotters—they are the new “it girl.” They are the Kendall Jenner of the supernatural world right now; whether you like them or not, they’re everywhere. Maybe it’s because everyone needed something new after the vampire craze, or maybe it’s because The Walking Dead is arguably the greatest show ever to grace television, but zombies/the undead have become a genre that can’t be ignored.

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In an effort to understand why everyone thinks zombies are so cool, and because we’ve unofficially dubbed ourselves as supernatural experts, we decided to dig into why zombies are the best thing to happen to pop culture since the birth of Blue Ivy.

They aren’t just supernatural. While zombies fall into the supernatural/sci-fi genre, they also fall into the “holy crap this could actually happen” category. What makes shows like The Walking Dead, The Strain, and Z Nation so good is that they feel real. Even though it’s terrifying to think about a zombie apocalypse, people can’t help but be attracted to the chaos. Look at Ebola. That whole scare had the world in a tizzy, and it’s not just because it’s a horrible, awful disease. It’s because everyone was wondering whether or not it would mutate into a virus that would turn us all into zombies. Don’t say you didn’t think of it; we all did.

The Walking Dead. While we love all zombie shows (we are furious that BBC America hasn’t ordered a third series of In the Flesh), it doesn’t take a genius to say that The Walking Dead is the show that catapulted this craze. Whether it is Daryl Dixon’s crossbow and dirty hair, or Rick Grimes’ beard and tortured soul, that show is the king of TV. And it has 22 million-plus viewers each week to prove it. Eat that, Sunday Night Football.

The buck doesn’t stop at zombies. Being undead doesn’t mean it has to be all guts and decaying flesh (even though that’s way more fun). Networks have tried to be as original as possible, so as to differentiate from completely copying mega hits like The Walking Dead. ABC tried something new with their sleeper hit series Resurrection. Friends, family, and enemies rise from the dead disease-free—and, apparently, completely showered and groomed.

People are the superheroes. Who needs Thor’s hammer when you have character development? In these shows with zombies and loved ones risen from the grave, there isn’t anyone to help the humans suffering the apocalypse consequences but themselves. One thing is consistent throughout all these series—people are given unbearable circumstances. The characters have to fight every day to live and find a reason worth living. There isn’t anything much more relatable than someone doing absolutely everything they can to protect those they love.

With our favorite undead shows about to hit the winter hiatus, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this TV craze. Take a look at this badass GIF of Daryl Dixon, and sound off with your thoughts. Until next time … #FangsOut!

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons